RAID + NAS setup - need feedback

[osuka_]

Hello everyone!

I currently have 2 1TB WD Blues running on RAID 0, but it's getting filled, and quick. I'll probably need to buy more storage, and while I'm at it, I might as well try something entirely new.

I'm considering buying 4 more HDDs and run all 6 of them in RAID 0. I realize how insane this is, but at the same time, if I have an NAS running 2 6Tb drives on RAID 1 - which I'll set up with the RAID 0 array - it could work (looking at WD Reds on this one. Thoughts?). I know that WD drives have an exceptional failure rate, and because I've never had any problems with them (this is my second WD Blue RAID 0 array, no failues yet), I'll probably go with these.

That said, I'm also looking at the WD Blacks, which seem to be shrouded in a mist of controversy - some claim that it's more responsive, others say it's slower and I've also heard that it's just the same. I have two questions about the Black vs Blue feud: First, is the difference worth the premium and second, is it worth the premium for me specifically, since I'll be running a RAID array?

TL;DR: Will run 6x1TB drives on RAID 0, with daily backup on a NAS running 2x6TB drives on RAID 1. Will probably get WD Reds on the NAS, wondering if Blacks are worth the premium over Blues on the main array

EDIT: What about cutting off the NAS and going for 5x1TB Blues on RAID 0 and a 5TB Red on the same computer running as a backup? It'd cut costs (I could invest the money somewhere else)

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, osuka_!

Quite the setup you got there.
I'll try to answer your questions first.
The difference between the WD Blue and the WD Black is in the purpose they are designed for.
The truth is the 1TB version of both HDDs overlap in specs which is what confuses most of the costumers. But if you put them side-by-side in your system, the WD Black should out-perform the WD Blue.

I'm very glad to hear that you are satisfied with your WD Blue's performance. However, you should know that we don't usually recommend them for use in RAID arrays, at least no more than 2 desktop drives in an array. In attempt to not make this post too long, I'd recommend you to check this link for more info on that issue: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=GMHAra

We have specific drives for that purpose and those are our NAS/RAID drives - WD Red and the datacenter HDDs.
They have specific features that lower the failure rate of the HDDs in multi-drive environments and they are also tested to run 24/7.
You can take a look at this article and learn more about the difference between the desktop edition and RAID edition drives: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=CRhhdM
The WD Red is designed specifically for home and small office NAS systems and PCs with 1-8 bay NAS/RAID configurations.
You can check more about them here: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=ATGId8

Let me know if you have any more questions!
Hope this helps you!
SuperSoph_WD